Valentyna

thought I'd necro this thread which cmae up in a random search at 3am (insmonia YAY!) to say that at the risk fo pissing people off I'm actually not a fan of PvP based loot in any game. At best its pointless, but shiny-looking. At worst, when its actually measurably much better than any alternative (as is the case with at least a few specific IOs here), it makes it that much harder,as people have noted, for new payers to join the PvP scene because their opponents, who ahve been playing longer, in addition to the benefit of that experience have better loot (IE even if they were equally skilled, whoever has been PvPing longest still has a clear advantage). becuase of this advantage the old-timer's win more, and keep the gap wider, longer. The more time goes by, and the more, better, rarer PvP loot is introduced into the game, the higher the barrier to entry becomes.

And this game has barriers high enough already (I don't hate I13 with the same passion as a lot of people who remember the old days, but its impossible to deny that having PvP answer to a completely different set of rules makes it essentially impossible for anyone to take up 'casually' unless they enjoy being farmed for kills/drops and mocked as a rewarding gaming experience).

Arguably you could see H/V merits as a way around that. It might takeyou half a decade of religiously dedicated play, but theoretically your character CAN be fully outfitted before actually beginning to compete. That time frame is so long however, that its actually more discouraging than encouraging. You look at how long it would take and part of you thinks 'screw this; back to PI!'. All it really does is allow PvM players to save up and afford the oneor two uniques and procs they may want for their PvM builds. Now, I suppose you coudl argue there's some good in that, couldn't you? Given how easy the market is to manipulate it can't be bad to ahve a way to get aroudn paying 2 billion influence for a Panacea proc. But it doesn't really help the PvP community.

At the end of the day, speaking as an admited 'amateur', so to speak, I think I kindof agree with Dharjee. Not about playing by Queensbury Rules becaus if you use effective tactics then you're being mean. I mean that PvP rewards will never succead in making PvEers get into PvP. they might make a nice bonus, but a lot of other things would have to change for that to even come into play (the reverse is not true, by the by, no matter what he thinks - i my experience, in any game, there are plenty of PvPers who step foot into PvE solely and exclusively when they find they must in order to earn loot which they will then use to PvP with).

At the end of the day, I don't think PvP needs better loot drops to be more popular. i think it needs to be more fun. Or at least, more accessible.

Updated build above. I eeked out two extra health bonus sets. I did leave the Blast the way it was, though - I think I want the procs for damage more than I want an extra 14 hit points.



One last thing I still can't decide about in my own head - Is therte anything better I coudl be aking than the Stealth pool? Phase seems redundant when I can pick up Hyper Phase in Warburg for the difference of five minutes work, and the rest of it seems redundant with being an illusionist. Fighting was pretty useless, though, so what else would I take? Should I just shut up and enjoy my set-mule powers, or does anyone have an idea?

I wouldn't worry, Sbane12 just seems to have a problem with people who use effective characters. I am not a City of Heroes PvP expert, but my Psi/Em did what all the guides and veterans advised and used Ice Mastery and I never regretted it.

That was before PPPs were available to heroes, of course, but looking through them now, I don't see anything that stands out to my inexperienced eyes as being wicked-broken-tastic. Blasters are squishy. heals are good. I never really noticed a big difference made by Snow Storm but I liked to fool myself into imagining it was helping me kite, also, LOL

Thanks. The damage value listed in Mid's - is that for the all its its hits totalled together, or is that the damage it does with each strike?

PS you're right, BTW - with no DR in the picture the cap for controllers is 400% of base.

I meant the maximum you can reach before DR begins to hurt your +damage bonus. I remember when building my Psi/EM I was advised that +30% global +damage was the target to shoot for and that much more would be pointless, but fo course, blasters have defiance and aim and buildup, so Im not sure if thats still true. As I said, Im mostly curious because im trying to decide whether to go wiht a musculature alpha slot.

To get SBA into Phantom Army I would ahve to give up the recharge intensive pet set, and I don't know how wild I am about that. It feels as though I need as much recharge as possible in the actual power since DR is hitting the global bonus. I could get an extra 15 hit points or so from PA at the cost of no more proc. Worth it? I'll definatly look into it.

I suppose its easy enough to test the +Perc thing. Its not like those things are expensive. Ill try it that way, and put that slot into accuracy for MA as you suggest.

I had the impression somehow that +perc special would only affect the people the power was actually affecting, I would have forged it (its a 1v1 build mainly, so its not like I care about maintaining it on a team). I was mistaken I take it?

Aside from more accuracy, what would you suggest I add to Melt Armor? Procs don't seem like a good bet on a power that gets used once every 40-50 seconds. -Def?

I agree completely in principal that more HP is better, but I'm a bit of a loss as to where I ought to get it. Any suggestions?

Also I still am hoping someone has some idea waht the +damage cap is like. I've never really consciously thought about it before.

EDIT for that matter another thing thats never come up before: does DR apply to Containment?

Hee! thank you I think that just made my day.

How does Jolting chain work exactly? That is, will it ever return to the original target, or any other target more than once if there are less than its maximum number of targets in range,, or will it strike as many targets as possible ONCE and then defuse. How does it work if you cast it with only one target in range?

Updated the post above with a new build that I decided to go in a completly other direction with, going for Power Boost, and for-fitting Hibernation. Went with stealth pool phase to make up for no more Hyber. Haven't found anyting to make up for loss of defence, but honestly, the 20% defense in an environment where everyone is sporting tactics is kinda limited in value, I suppose, and more resistance is always nice.

I removed a little recharge form the build - down to just about 80% now - and transfered as much of the slotting as I could into +HP. If there's anything more I can move around to facilitate that further, I don't know what it is.


Something I'd still lvoe to know is about that +damage cap? What IS the threshold in PvP before DR kicks in? I'm still toying with Incarnate power choices in my head, you see.

On the subject of recharge: I'd heard that before. My main concern is enough recharge to make heat Exhaustion permanent. Is this realistically possible in PvP i'm not moved to suddenly wonder? There is no reliable mathematical explanation of Diminishing Return's effects I can find that would allow me to calculate it, but perhaps the benefit of simple experience?

Good advice. To answer your last queston I use Warmth more than once every ten seconds in battle. As a result it will return more hit points and mana over time there than in health.

Wow... no replies at all.. I obviously phail almost a much as I thought I did, LOL. I'm really, really hoping someone can suggest something worth taking other than fighting pool, but I may just ahv eto fall back on my own actual creativity,. You guys don't want to force me to such desperate measures, do ya?

UPDATED MOAR



Here's the build. Once again, any advice welcome. Thakns in advance.



Hero Plan by Mids' Hero Designer 1.90
http://www.cohplanner.com/

Click this DataLink to open the build!

Valentyna: Level 50 Magic Controller
Primary Power Set: Illusion Control
Secondary Power Set: Thermal Radiation
Power Pool: Speed
Power Pool: Leaping
Power Pool: Concealment
Power Pool: Leadership
Ancillary Pool: Primal Forces Mastery

Hero Profile:
Level 1: Spectral Wounds

• (A) Apocalypse - Damage
• (3) Apocalypse - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (3) Apocalypse - Accuracy/Recharge
• (5) Apocalypse - Damage/Endurance
• (5) Apocalypse - Chance of Damage(Negative)
• (7) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage(Toxic)

Level 1: Warmth

• (A) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Endurance
• (25) Numina's Convalescence - Heal/Recharge
• (25) Numina's Convalescence - Heal
• (46) Panacea - +Hit Points/Endurance

Level 2: Blind

• (A) Unbreakable Constraint - Hold
• (15) Unbreakable Constraint - Accuracy/Hold/Recharge
• (15) Unbreakable Constraint - Accuracy/Recharge
• (17) Unbreakable Constraint - Endurance/Hold
• (17) Unbreakable Constraint - Chance for Smashing Damage
• (23) Fortunata Hypnosis - Chance for Placate

Level 4: Deceive

• (A) Coercive Persuasion - Confused
• (29) Coercive Persuasion - Confused/Recharge
• (29) Coercive Persuasion - Accuracy/Confused/Recharge
• (31) Coercive Persuasion - Accuracy/Recharge
• (31) Coercive Persuasion - Confused/Endurance

Level 6: Hasten

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (7) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 8: Combat Jumping

• (A) Karma - Knockback Protection
• (9) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
• (9) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
• (40) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
• (45) Luck of the Gambler - Defense
• (46) Kismet - Accuracy +6%

Level 10: Superior Invisibility

• (A) Karma - Knockback Protection
• (11) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
• (11) Luck of the Gambler - Defense/Endurance
• (46) Luck of the Gambler - Defense

Level 12: Grant Invisibility

• (A) Karma - Knockback Protection
• (27) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed
• (27) Karma - Defense/Endurance
• (31) Karma - Defense/Recharge

Level 14: Super Jump

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)

Level 16: Super Speed

• (A) Blessing of the Zephyr - Knockback Reduction (4 points)
• (45) Celerity - Endurance
• (50) Celerity - RunSpeed
• (50) Celerity - +Stealth

Level 18: Phantom Army

• (A) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Recharge
• (19) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Damage
• (19) Call to Arms - Damage/Endurance
• (21) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (21) Soulbound Allegiance - Damage/Recharge
• (23) Soulbound Allegiance - Chance for Build Up

Level 20: Invisibility

• (A) Karma - Knockback Protection
• (39) Karma - Defense/Endurance
• (40) Karma - Defense/Recharge
• (45) Luck of the Gambler - Recharge Speed

Level 22: Assault

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO

Level 24: Tactics

• (A) To Hit Buff IO
• (37) HamiO:Cytoskeleton Exposure

Level 26: Spectral Terror

• (A) Glimpse of the Abyss - Accuracy/Recharge
• (34) Glimpse of the Abyss - Endurance/Fear
• (37) Glimpse of the Abyss - Fear/Range
• (37) Glimpse of the Abyss - Accuracy/Fear/Recharge
• (43) Glimpse of the Abyss - Chance of Damage(Psionic)

Level 28: Phase Shift

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 30: Acrobatics

• (A) Endurance Reduction IO

Level 32: Phantasm

• (A) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Recharge
• (33) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Damage
• (33) Call to Arms - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (33) Call to Arms - Endurance/Damage/Recharge
• (34) Soulbound Allegiance - Damage
• (34) Explosive Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 35: Heat Exhaustion

• (A) Accuracy IO
• (36) Accuracy IO
• (36) Recharge Reduction IO
• (36) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 38: Melt Armor

• (A) Shield Breaker - Accuracy/Recharge
• (39) Analyze Weakness - Accuracy/Recharge
• (39) Accuracy IO
• (40) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 41: Power Blast

• (A) Devastation - Accuracy/Damage
• (42) Devastation - Damage/Endurance
• (42) Devastation - Damage/Recharge
• (42) Devastation - Accuracy/Damage/Recharge
• (43) Gladiator's Javelin - Chance of Damage(Toxic)
• (43) Explosive Strike - Chance for Smashing Damage

Level 44: Temp Invulnerability

• (A) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/Endurance
• (48) Steadfast Protection - Resistance/+Def 3%
• (48) Steadfast Protection - Knockback Protection

Level 47: Power Boost

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO
• (50) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 49: Forge

• (A) Rectified Reticle - Increased Perception

------------
Level 1: Brawl

• (A) Accuracy IO

Level 1: Sprint

• (A) Run Speed IO

Level 2: Rest

• (A) Recharge Reduction IO

Level 1: Containment
Level 4: Ninja Run
Level 2: Swift

• (A) Run Speed IO

Level 2: Hurdle

• (A) Jumping IO

Level 2: Health

• (A) Miracle - +Recovery
• (48) Numina's Convalescence - +Regeneration/+Recovery

Level 2: Stamina

• (A) Performance Shifter - EndMod
• (13) Performance Shifter - Chance for +End
• (13) Endurance Modification IO

Eee! I can't imagine what i'd do if someone stole my name. I wanted to offer insight and help, but I think th best ideas have already been stated. I think the idea of simply switching to another metal was probably the simplest and best.

I am an experienced, well slotted, level 50 illusion/thermal controller. Hero.

I'm looking desperately for a any group of collection of groups that are planning to run the Cathedral of Pain trial in the near to middle term future.

Failing that, any supergroup that has the necessary items to run one, and is willing to accept another prestige earner on a temporary basis for however long it takes until I can organize one myself would be very much appreciated, though I sort of hope it doesn't come to that (I like being a justice girl).

I can be reached here, obviously, or in-game at the global @ValentynaPDG.

Thanks so much!

The Justice Girls are the best guild 've ever had in any game, and a light RP group too. Some of our allies - Hero Dawn, for instance, or the American legion, or LightningStrike Initaitive - are also awesome and heavier roleplayers - sometimes much heavier (and they allow yucky men to join, ;D). You'll never lack for people to chat at you in or out of character with any of us.

You can each me @ValentynaPDG in game if you like, and I'm sure I can find someone to introduce you to from a group that appeals.

and oldy but a goodie... 'Don't Blame me, I'm From Minnesota'.

If you were in the 'states in the 80s, you know what its about. It was the first Minnesota liscence plate I ever saw. It almost sent me off the road I laughed so hard.

That would make sense. I will stick with the ill/ build, I think, but I appreciate the input, and I especially appreciate the information. Always good to learn how these systems work, no?

I have to say, this game has a better PvP community than almost anywhere. A smaller one, but much nicer.

It msotly amtters because im trying to get a feel for teh comparative DPS of the sonic corrupter versus my illusion controller thats just getting into PvP level now. They both have Heat Exhaustion, so its the rest im looking into.

Im curious, if anyone knows, what the DR softcap is for -resistance debuffs. Im turning over the thought of a sonic/thermal corrupte rin my head, and so it seems fairly important to know.

Thanks!

Val isnt a deliberate homage, but she takes a lot of inspiration from Zatanna and Clea, both of whom I used to love when I younger - burdened by the terrible responsabiiyt of phenomenal cosmic power; determined not to loose her humanity in spite of it; following in the footsteps of powerful men; Sassy exterior;confident and determined in matters of life and death, but sometimes unsure of her own feelings in personal things; ECT. Her costume is also an unapologetic nod to Clea of Earth X (pictured as my avatar). Its a theme that ahsnt ever gotten old for me.